Sylvester J Duray

Sylvester "Syl" Duray, 90, of Grand Forks, ND died peacefully with his family by his side on November 12, 2008 at 4000 Valley Square, Grand Forks. Sylvester Joseph Duray was born on December 28, 1917 near Warsaw, ND the son of Ignatz and Anna Duray. Sylvester married Loretta Grembowski they raised 5 children on the family farm. Syl was a farmer of the Red River Valley all of his life. He worked hard to provide for his family. He so loved the land, woods, river and all of its seasons. Spending time on the farm and in the fields was his passion. His farm was filled with animals; he especially loved raising, horses, dogs and rabbits. One of his many joys was being surrounded at the kitchen table with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren sharing his joking sense of humor and his wife's good cooking. They traveled a lot in their motor home making memories with family and friends. He treated his family like friends and his friends like family. Syl lived his life with the hand he was dealt and in his families eyes he will always be not only a winner but a man who never gave up. He volunteered his time at the Salvation Army and Humane Society. He was an honorary member of the Eagles Club for 75 years. He also was a member of St. Stanilaus Catholic Church., Warsaw, ND and St. Michael's Catholic Church of Grand Forks, ND. Syl is survived by: His wife of 69 years: Loretta Duray - Grand Forks Five Children: Gerry Duray - Denver, Colorado Lee (Ione) Duray - Mesa, Arizona Arlene (Dale) Demers - Grand Forks June Duray - Grand Forks Joy (Robert) Bushaw - Ponca City, Oklahoma Five Grandchildren: Ryan Duray, Denver, CO Christine Hoiberg - Sioux Falls, SD Janelle Duray - Romm - Chicago, Ill Tracy Meagher - East Grand Forks, MN Jarrid Greenwood - Duluth, MN Five Great Grandchildren: Zachery, Maxwell and Alexander Hoiberg - Sioux Falls, SD ReEnna, Evan Duray - Denver, CO Sister: Isabel Wysoki - Grand Forks Syl was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Henry Duray; sisters, Frances Duray, Effie Lizakowski, Nettie Duray and Grandchild Tamera Duray.